2012 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Audi Q5 ranks 4th worst out of 18 model years, with a complaint index of 82 and 168 complaints, most tied to airbags. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this year, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Q5 model years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #4 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 168
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2012 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags85 (51%)
- Engine49 (29%)
- Fuel System23 (14%)
- Other10 (6%)
- Structure & Body9 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (4%)
- Electrical System6 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)
- Brakes3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in crashes at highway speeds, including a 55 mph collision and a case where the driver blacked out and hit a tree.
- Some owners describe sudden unintended acceleration, with the engine surging to wide open throttle or revving to 4,000-5000 rpm while braking or shifting to neutral.
- Wipers set to intermittent or slow mode were reported to stop moving entirely when the car came to a stop, sometimes not resuming for many seconds.
- Xenon or LED headlights on the front passenger side were reported to flicker or wave when headlamps were switched on.
- One owner reported the engine stalling at a traffic light along with a 'change key battery' warning, requiring the key fob to restart the vehicle.
- Owners reported the rear view mirror position and oversized side mirrors created blind spots that blocked part of the field of vision.
2012 Audi Q5 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V818000Nov 19, 2018Fuel System5,987 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.
Risk: The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.
- NHTSA 18V082000Jan 30, 2018Airbags162,782 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
- NHTSA 17V001000Jan 3, 2017Airbags234,057 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
2012 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Audi Q5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Q5 ranks 4th worst among 18 model years with a complaint index of 82, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Q5 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Audi Q5?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 85 of 168 complaints (51%), including reports of non-deployment in crashes, with a median failure mileage of 50,000.
- Does the 2012 Audi Q5 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 Q5, covering airbag inflators, fuel pump flange cracking, and a sunroof glass panel that could break.
- How does the 2012 Q5 compare to other years?
- The 2012 Q5's complaint index of 82 is higher than most other years; only 2018 (100) and 2025 (94) score worse, while 2024 (6) and 2017 (18) score much lower.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Audi Q5?
- EPA rates the 2012 Q5 at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,825.